I'm hoping this doesn't get too long but here goes nothing... Our family has been part of the Kindercare community for several years now and the experience has been nothing short of wonderful and in many ways, life-changing. Our daughter "graduated" from Kindercare last year after spending nearly 2 years there, and she is now at our local public school and thriving in TK! The structure, curriculum and most importantly, the kindness and care from the teachers and staff truly prepared her for success. I still remember when she first started there, she was hesitant, unsure and struggling with confidence, especially when holding a pencil. She would melt to the ground ha! I had a great conversation with Ms Linda about my concerns, and she along with Ms Priscilla, poured their hearts into building my daughter up. Fast forward to "graduation", my daughter left the class READING. Their focus on phonics, patience and love for teaching made all the difference. Today, she is as confident as they come and genuinely LOVES going to school. For that, I am beyond grateful!! Because of this incredible experience, our youngest son now attends Kindercare as well. He's been there since the "baby class" and has grown so much. In fact, even though he is technically eligible for TK in the fall, my husband and I have chosen to keep him at Kindercare for another year because of how much we value their program. That decision says everything about the trust and confidence we have in this school. As a busy family with two working parents, Kindercare makes it easy. Providing the meals is a game-changer. We love following the pictures and schedule updates in the Kindercare app. The pic attached is one of the many photos we get of the kids at play. They have fun family engagement activities on holidays which can be fun! We love the Halloween event! I have met so many "mom friends" here and even though their children have left Kindercare, we still make a point to get together to hangout, have a happy hour or playdate at the park with or without our Kinderkids. When you have kids excited to go to school, nothing feels better. And every time we walk through the doors, we feel like part of the family. We are thankful we found a second HOME at Kindercare. read more

Thousand Oaks KinderCare - Child Care & Day Care Near Me - Thousand Oaks, California

Our son has been at the Thousand Oaks KinderCare infants program for over 6 months now and it's been a great experience so far. We love their focus on complying with safety regulations and documenting important details of the day's events through photos, videos, and notes in the KinderCare app. Our son enjoys time with all of his wonderful teachers like Ashley, Alyssa, Maria, Amy, Grace, and his BFF Kim. Although it can get a bit hectic, as expected with all the energetic kids, it seems like the teachers have genuine support from management, Nikki and Lisa, and that everyone strives to do their best for the kids. The teachers' impressive memory of our son's activities, especially in the chaos of many kids doing many things, is really useful reference for how to continue our childcare at home in the evening. It's impossible to know every single detail and metric of the center's operations, and moreover, the long-term strategy and potential incentive shifts of KinderCare as a large corporation that recently became publicly traded. One really positive and reassuring sign for this center specifically is the long average tenure of the teachers. This center's leadership is certainly doing something well to retain its staff, some of whom have been there for decades. In our experience, the staff seem supported and everyone has been so helpful and responsive whenever we've had any concerns or questions, including consistently picking up the phone on the rare times that we call. Childcare can be thankless work that goes underappreciated and some days must be overwhelming, so we truly appreciate these hardworking teachers for taking care of our little one! read more

My son has been with KinderCare TO since he was 4 months old and I've loved watching him learn, grow, make friends, and have good relationships with his teachers. Everyone is friendly, easy to talk to, and cares for his wellbeing. We are so thankful for the experience we have had! read more

Was not for us. Felt kind of cold and institutionalized. The environment also didn't feel exactly warm, bright as we had hoped for our child

I waited a very long time to post this review, because I was hesitant about leaving a negative review but thought I needed to share. My experience with KinderCare of Thousand Oaks was quite painful. We moved to the area over summer of 2022 from Washington, DC. The only daycare with availabilities for our 2 boys (2.5yr and 5yr at the time) was KinderCare of TO. On the first day, I noticed that there were quite a lot of kids in a room (18-20?). The noise level was appalling. Lots of crying and screaming. Adding to this were teachers also yelling at kids across the room to either sit down, get off the table, etc. Despite the uneasy feeling, I decided to give it a try, because I didn't have many options as a working mom. I wasn't expecting much. 2 months into it, my oldest son started kindergarten at a local school, and my youngest son was left to attend KinderCare alone. He absolutely hated going there - each morning drop off was a nightmare. I tried talking to him, asking about his day or who he sat next to at lunch. His response was always just "Nothing" and "I sat next to no one." He wouldn't give me any details. Come to find out one morning during drop-off that his teacher had isolated him and made him sit by himself during breakfast/lunch/snack times as punishment for certain behaviors (not sure for how long). I couldn't believe they were practicing this, and this was happening to my son. It broke my heart that he ate alone and had no one next to him... I'm sharing this story to alert all the moms out there to know that (a) the teachers/staffs here are not fit to care for a child (b) 1-to-20 teacher to kid class ratio is too much, and (c) no child is able to receive any attention in this type of environment - kids are not given respect. I have watched a staff member very roughly pick up a boy by his arm, because he was sitting/playing on a table. She could've given him a nursemaid elbow. Screen time is given throughout the day. When during outside time, teachers are either chatting with each other or looking at their phone. Again, absolutely no regard for the children. It's just not worth it. I've since transferred my son to another school and left a lengthy message to the director, who is the highest-ranking person operating the place, with recommendations/feedback and ways to improve, hoping that things will change for the kids who are currently attending...but I doubt it. She apologized and tried to negotiate with me by moving him up a class to which I declined. KinderCare is a corporation and not managed by an owner, as she explained. Obviously, there's nothing she can do. She's just an employee. I would not recommend this center to anyone. read more

Both of my daughters (age 3 and age 5) have been going to Thousand Oaks KinderCare for almost two years, and honestly, this is the best place in town for your little ones. Why? Let me count the ways... 1. The Teachers: They're professional, communicative, friendly, and treat the kids with so much respect. Yes, they're great with parents, too, but I really love the way they communicate with my daughters. I'm one of those annoying moms who reads a ton of childcare/behavioral books and then talks endlessly about those books until everyone has cleared the room, so you can imagine my delight when I saw how the teachers interact, listen and speak to our kids--they are true professionals that care about their work. 2. Clean & Safe: They have been wonderful throughout the Covid pandemic, and have gone above and beyond to keep our children safe and us parents comfortable. The building and classrooms always look clean and tidy--I love that part. 3. Communicative: Throughout the day, my husband and I receive updates, photos, videos, meal reports and more through their phone app. It's awesome. 4. Kids Love It: My daughters truly love KinderCare. They want to go there on Saturdays. It's crazy. Director Lisa is super responsive and just an overall wonderful person, and Miss Nikki, Mr. T, Miss Kelly, Miss Colleen, Miss Linda, Miss Sherry and Miss Ciera are (literally) some of my daughters' favorite people - they're like superheroes. 5. Education: Both of our girls are always learning something new and love to come home and tell us all about it. It feels great to know they are being prepped for kindergarten and beyond (and having fun along the way)! read more

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My son went to this kindercare for 1-2 months, I haven't seen him so happy before that. First of all, big thanks to Lisa for admitting him overnight as the previous kindercare he was going to was having management issues. Lisa was so kind and gracious to accept him and take care of him instantly. She properly onboarded my son by giving us a tour and an entire package with information. She has created a school like environment where education and development is encouraged. She treats all the teachers were respectfully, which also is visible in their tenure with that institution. She built a very thoughtful curriculum with partner activities throughout the week, lots of learning opportunities like the animal show, camps, book sales and family movie nights. My son always came back smiling, has been eating very well and very interactive. Lisa was also very consistent with sharing end of day notes with pictures. This way parents didn't feel left out and could see all the amazing collaborative events happening throughout the day! We had to move him to another school because of the driving distance, but sincerely want to thank Lisa and all the teachers for caring for our son. Highly recommend this school, loved the experience! read more

Our two daughters (ages 2 1/2 and 8 months) have been attending Kindercare since they were both about 5 months old. Our oldest daughter started during the early Covid peak, and the administrators and staff at Kindercare not only made us feel welcomed and supported, but we felt safe sending our daughter there with their infection control policies and emphasis on health and following county regulations. In the infant room, the teachers are amazing with managing tummy time, crafts/sensory activities, feeding, naps and giving each infant the attention they need. They worked with us when both girls began solids and also have gotten them to nap better at daycare than at home! The teachers are kind, experienced, and truly care about each child. With the Kindercare app, we know exactly how the day is going, and we appreciate the communication throughout the day. Each time we walk through the door- whether it is drop off or pick up- there is always a friendly face to greet us, and we really feel welcomed. Our older daughter is now in the 2 year old class, and she is thriving. She loves telling us about the crafts, music, reading, and other activities she does throughout the day and about all of her daycare friends and teachers. The Kindercare staff have been so helpful with transitions, developing motor and speech skills, creating routine, etc. and we are so happy we chose Kindercare. read more

I rarely write reviews but this wonderful place is worth it! I absolutely love this daycare center. My son was born prematurely and was taking a a long time to develop his walking skills. Ever since he's attended this center he's been thriving. We love the staff, Lisa is wonderful and so are my sons teachers. They genuinely care and are so sweet. We get notifications when he eats, goes to the bathroom, sleeps. We get pictures and video's throughout the day and see what they are learning. Worth the drive! This center is the best read more

We moved to Thousand Oaks and had no idea where to send our kids. This was the only school we toured and immediately knew it was the place for us. Our son has gone to 3 schools in the last couple years due to COVID shut downs and this administration and teachers are top notch. We absolutely love the support and communication. We went through some challenges with our son and the Director and teacher immediately connected to make a plan to support him as he settled after our move. We couldn't be happier! read more

This is the best childcare center for one reason only, the most important reason of all: the people. They are kind, they are helpful, they are knowledgeable and they are caring. My son has been going there since he was a baby and from the moment I walked in to visit and met Lisa, the center director, I felt at peace. I knew I could safely leave my child there not know and I would know I had found the best place for him. Now let's get to the other reasons. 1) My son flourishes and thrives based on their curriculum that encourages creativity and learning. 2)The organization size and set up in the different classes prove to be ahead of its time when COVID-19 hit because they were already segmented. 3)There always seems to be something planned that makes each week special. 4) Communication is top notch thanks to the App. I pretty much know everything that happens while he there from diaper changes to meals to how long he napped and of course what was done that day. Here is to Lisa, Nikki, Sherry, Linda, Maria, Ciara and all the fabulous teachers at Kindercare, Thousand Oaks that simply love what they do and my kid gets ALL of that love. Cheers! Chinwe read more

I can't say enough good things about this place! The staff is awesome and the teachers are amazing!! I have only started taking my baby there for a few weeks and they treat him like their own! The teachers are like family already !! Love the App love the attention to detail and love them! read more

Our son has been attending this daycare center since he turned 1 year old. We like it, especially some of the great teachers like Annamarie, Kacie, etc. They take the children out into their safe playground twice a day (weather permitting), teach them wonderful crafts, and our son has expanded his vocabulary and physical abilities greatly since he started attending this place. I would highly recommend this place. read more

MY son has been going to Kindercare since he was 15 months old. Now he has been the the TK/K class this year and Ms. Sherry has been so amazing with the TK/Kindergarten class!! My son has learned so much and I am so thrilled! read more

The management and staff are all terrific! Director (Lisa) is very responsive to family needs. Curriculum is great and provides wonderful opportunity for developmentally appropriate exploration and learning. The center offers a great balance between providing structure and routine and at the same time providing a warm, nurturing family environment. My husband and I are both family therapists (and former early intervention center owners) and are picky when it comes to the environment are 3 girls are in but we've been at the center for 2 years and are very happy there. Our girls have just loved their teachers/classes. 4 out of 5 stars is because I have found the Kindercare corporation to be less than responsive to customers (parents) on the few different occasions that I have reached out to them with feedback (that we as well as other parents have discussed with each other. )The corporation places very little importance on updating the center both in terms of the facility as well as implementing basic systems that can streamline things for families AND offer great opportunity for parents to be able to communicate with staff and engage in and be informed of their child's daily experience. Corporation makes no effort to change with the times or make things easier for customers (parents) in spite of tuition increases. However, the center management and staff do a good job of working with what they are provided with. read more

My kids have attended KinderCare for almost 3 years, since they were 4 months old (son) and 19 months (daughter). It has been a FABULOUS preschool. They are loved, fed and happy. The school was amazing with supporting potty training for both of them and the selection of food they provide helped foster great and diverse eating habits. We have 5 kids and the younger ones who attended KinderCare have a much more open approach to trying new things and they eat such a great variety of healthy food than our other kids did. As dual working parents they balance a healthy environment but recognize a runny nose from allergies versus a sick Kid. We know our kids will be in a clean and germ-free environment but not sent home at every sneeze. If they are sick, we are immediately notified and know they are in great hands until we arrive. The entire staff is awesome! Ms. Sherri is always so energetic and fun at arrival. Ms. Linda, Colleen, Marcia, Megan and Maria all LOVE the kids and know them all. Ms. Lisa the director has been there for 30 years! She knows each kid, the parents and grandparents. She is very good on communications at all levels. This school is fun, clean and they offer a variety of great toys and activities. KinderCare has a FABULOUS app to get daily pictures and updates along with eating, sleeping and restroom activity. If you are looking for a great preschool or infant care, we HIGHLY recommend KinderCare! read more

We sent both our children to this Kindercare and never had any complaints. Unlike other daycare centers, Kindercare has a curriculum that the teachers follow and parents get regular updates on. So its not just a place where they get supervision, but also learn. This is an important consideration when you consider daycare centers. Our children are more than prepared for Kindergarten and 1st grade when the time comes to enroll in other schools. So between our two children, we've been happy with Kindercare since 2007 and continue to send our second child there. We have become friends with other parents and their children and everyone is pleased with Kindercare. Many parents have concerns about daycare itself. They feel like they are abandoning their children in exchange for their careers/jobs etc. My wife and I are full time professionals. Looking back, I think the daycare process has helped our children grow intellectually, socially and physically. They learn basic social skills and are supervised by teachers who understand children's developmental stages (which often relatives and family do not). After an initial phase of frequent sniffles and ear infections etc., now our children rarely get sick, since their immune systems were boosted by exposure to other children early on. Lastly, trust the teachers and staff at whichever place you select. Many parents think they are the only ones who know what's best for their children. However, teachers and staff at Kindercare work with hundreds of children and have seen them grow from infants to 1st graders, so seek their advice, listen to their suggestions, and accept them as positive advisers to both your children and you as the parents. read more

Everytime I picked up my daughter it was FREEZING in the room. I kept wondering if they doing that to keep the toddlers calm. When I dropped her off she would always scream, and never got use to it. It just wasn't for me. read more

I give Lisa and the staff a 5 star rating solidly. I work a s a Fire Fighter Paramedic and needed a center that could handle my son who is borderline special needs. The facility is always immaculate and fun. My son loves it here and he really has benefitted from the socialization. The teacher student ratio is perfect. I have a great relationship with the entire staff. When I am at the Fire House I know they are keeping my son safe and happy. For a few years now they have been a saving grace for me and the family. Thanks to everybody here and keep up the great work. read more

I love this place! I've been bringing my 15mo old son here for a few months now and they truly care about him and our family. Literally every single person that works there I think knows his name, and are always in the best spirits! Our family has been pleased with every aspect of the daily operation, care and service they offer. Thank you to his teachers for being so warm and communicative - we have never felt judged, put out or felt our questions were silly. My son is smiling everyday I pick him up and that means so much to me since I have to work full time. I think the only thing that would be a cherry on top would be to stay open an extra 30min, but they open 30min earlier than most other places - so you can't complain too much. read more

I sent my two young sons here for 1 year a few years ago, and I still get a sick feeling when I think about this place. If you want a good analogy, think Lord of the Flies. Many times I would go to pick up my older soon (3 at the time), the kids were running around pulling hair, kicking, punching, and the teacher had an overwhelmed look on her face. There was absolutely no safety or security here. There were several incidents, the one that made us leave was when my son came home with a gruesome looking bite wound, and we received no notice from the school. We went to the school for a conference, and the teacher blamed my 3 year old son for not telling her about the bite mark. This was a bite mark that lasted for almost a week, how does a teacher not notice something like that?This is a warehouse for kids. Do not expect safety, do not expect any preparation for kindergarten. This is a slight step up from just leaving your kid at home alone, but not by much. read more

I went to this place to take my daughter to day care and I absolutely love the place. It had a great atmosphere and the directed is really generous and answered all my questions. read more

My son has been going to KinderCare for a short period of time but he has blossomed so much since he has been there. I believe my family has made the right choice for our son development and our family. read more

I have joined my daughter when she was 18 months old in September 2015... I didn't like the kindercare at all... the teacher in the 12-24 months class has attitude... and there are too many students per class... we have moved to Houston now and we are sending to another day care and I see lot of difference here compared to kindercare at Thousand Oaks... teachers are very nice... read more

My daughter has been going to this facility since she was 5 months old and now she is 3. The staff is amazing and treat the children as individuals, teaching them as the grow and challenging them to excel. There are plenty of activities to keep your child busy throughout the day and they take pride in the facility to ensure the safety of all children. They have excellent additional activities that you can enroll your child in such as cooking, sports, music and phonics. The additional activities are an additional fee but they are well worth it. My daughter is learning to recognize letters as well as some words and she is only 3! All the teachers are fantastic and get to know you and your child even if the child is not in their classroom. Lisa, the Director, is amazing and always welcomes us as we arrive. I love KinderCare and would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a great daycare facility. read more

I absolutely love the school! My son has been attending for a while now. I originally had him enrolled in a different school and I immediately took him out of it after two days. It was horrible! And then I remembered this place. I drove by all the time as a teenager. I wanted to work there at one point! But now I'm a mother with a child and I enrolled him. Every day all of the staff says hello, the teachers are awesome, and I personally feel like I've developed friendships with them. It is so easy for me to leave my son there every day. He's made so many friends and his world has changed. He is learning so much, and I can't say enough about this place. I was really not wanting to put him in school at all once he became of age, but now I really look forward to taking him there because I know he's in good hands. Sometimes you read yelp reviews and it's hard to believe them but, with all my heart, I highly recommend the school to anybody who is having a tough time deciding where to put their kid. Lisa, ms. Nikki, ms. Kelly, all of them are great. read more

Don't believe the naysayers! Kindercare is the greatest place you could ever take your kids. I had my older daughter there for 2 years, and I knew I'd never take my younger daughter anywhere else. Child safety and education are the number one priority of every single staff member, the teachers know exactly what they're doing, if there is ever an incident I am immediately notified, and any questions I have are immediately answered. Miss Nikki always keeps me informed of my daughter's progress, socially, intellectually, emotionally, and physically by telling me about it face-to-face every single day. They get good, healthy food every day, lots of exercise, hands on activities, and meaningful education. Not just letters and counting, but music, dance, practical skills, and social skills. Both my girls love it and yours will too! read more

Lisa and her staff are just wonderful!! We temporarily relocated in the area and despite knowing that we will be there only for few months, they gladly accepted our 17 months old. Although the facility is little run down but it's big. Teachers are warm and welcoming and they know kids from all the classrooms. Every time I went to school, all the teachers smiled and made you feel welcomed even when they were from different classrooms. This was definitely missing in the other schools I visited in the area. School provided meals and drinks and even their own sippy cups. I sent my own snacks from home but they serve snacks as well. All classroom's have themed based curriculum for the month and kids did lots of hands on arts and crafts. One thing I loved about the school was in the evening when you pick up the kid a complete day's log was given to the parent which had a details of diaper change schedules, food log and activities done along with pictures of the kid enjoying those activities and crafts they finished. No more guessing about what my kid ate or how long she slept. Lisa was more then happy to let me know how my daughter was doing when I called during the day to check on her. My daughter's highlight of the day was self serve cookies left for kids when they are going back home. She loved to munch on those on our way back home. Infact, my elder daughter always grabbed few of those for herself as well every evening and they never objected to it even though she was not part of the school. Overall, I am happy that my daughter was in safe hands, learnt and enjoyed herself in this school. read more